Roman candle — a failure of a parachute Failing to open fully, it resembles the firework: ... we were all well acquainted with details of a Roman candle. (Farran, 1948, writing about parachuting) … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

Roman candle — a firework consisting of a tube that sends out a shower of sparks and a succession of balls of fire. [1825 35] * * * … Universalium

Roman candle — noun a) a type of firework, with a long, thick paper tube that contains layers of stars and lifting charges. When ignited, pyrotechnic stars shoot from the tube one at a time. b) a type of parachute deployment failure … Wiktionary